7 Reasons to own a holiday home in Devon

The best cream teas in the country!

Britain has always had a fond love affair with tea, and who doesn’t love it accompanied by a warm scone topped with clotted cream and jam? But the question is, what goes on first, the cream or the jam? (Cream, then jam is the traditional Devonshire way, FYI). There are many rumours regarding the origin of the cream tea, but, historian’s uncovered hard evidence that the cream tea started at Tavistock’s Benedictine Abbey in Devon, when monks fed workers a combination of bread, clotted cream and strawberry jam over 1000 years ago.

The beautiful views and scenery

Devon is well known for its stunning scenery, with its miles of golden beaches, gorgeous landscapes, bustling harbours, and beautifully kept countryside. With five ‘Areas of Outstanding Beauty’ (Tamar Valley, Blackdown Hills, South Devon, East Devon, and North Devon) and two National Parks (Dartmoor and Exmoor), it’s easily one of the most eye-pleasing counties in England.

It’s the perfect escape for anyone, especially those that are used to a busy city life, as life in Devon is nothing but calm and serene, making it ideal for a getaway, and even better for owning your own little piece of it. Our holiday parks in Devon are all located in beautiful areas (Dawlish, Paignton, and Barnstaple) that enjoy some of the county’s finest views. We’d bet you our last scone that you’d never get tired of them!

The amazing attractions

As well as having so much to see, Devon also has so much to do! There are so many fun, exciting, and educational attractions dotted all across Devon, you’ll never be short on ideas for a day out. From zoos, parks, museums, theme parks, escape rooms and farms, there’s sure to be something to suit everyone in the family. We even have some exclusive attraction discounts, so there’s even more reason to visit! Devon is home to more National Trust properties than any other county in the UK, so if exploring historic houses and lush gardens is your thing, you’ll simply love Devon.

Near to other great locations

Another great thing about Devon, is that if you fancy a day out, or even a short break exploring another part of England, then there’s Cornwall, Newquay, and Dorset all on its doorstep, making it super easy for you to jump in the car and head off for the weekend. Each of these places also have beautiful beaches and landscapes just waiting to be discovered.

Full of history and culture

Devon is full of rich and varied history, and many famous historical figures feature in Devon's past, including Sir Walter Raleigh, Dame Agatha Christie, and Sir Francis Drake. Castle Drogo is the youngest castle in England, which can be found in Drewsteignton, Devon. It’s surrounded by beautiful walks and is full of interesting architecture, perfect for exploring on a sunny afternoon. There’s also an abundance of historic houses, cathedrals, museums, and buildings to be discovered including Exeter Cathedral, Greenway House, and Torre Abbey Museum.

Gorgeous beaches

Whether it be sandy, shingle, cliff-lined, or surrounded by dunes, Devon encompasses some of the prettiest and most picturesque beaches in England. Many of those are certified Blue Flag beaches, meaning they achieved very high quality standards of excellent cleanliness, safe access, and appropriate signage. These include Broadsands, Sandy Bay, and Dawlish Warren which is just one mile away from our Dawlish Sands and Golden Sands holiday parks.

We all know that dogs love to get the sand in between their paws too, so dog lovers will be pleased to know that there are 64 beaches in Devon where dogs are fully permitted, and a further 48 beaches where dogs are allowed (but there may be some restrictions during the year). You’ll never be far from a beach where both you and your pooch can explore the rock pools and dip your toes in the sea.

The Devon Cuisine

After all of that exploring, sightseeing, and learning, you’re bound to have worked up an appetite! And you’ll be in luck as Devon is full of delicious local treats ready to tempt you.

As previously mentioned, no trip to Devon is complete without indulging in a cream tea, perfect as a light afternoon snack to refuel after a morning of exploring. Devon is also home to the South West’s largest fishing port, where fresh catches are delivered to the local restaurants, cafes, and markets daily – you definitely can’t beat fish and chips in Devon! Many have heard of the Cornish pasty, but Devon also produces scrumptious pasties with a variety of different fillings, including the traditional beef, onion, and swede, as well as some less mainstream flavours such as chicken tikka or steak and stilton, sure to get your taste buds tingling.

And if you’re feeling thirsty, why not try some of Devon’s finest cider? Devon has near perfect conditions for apple-growing, resulting in an abundance of farms producing specialist apple cider. Fun fact: cloudy, unfiltered ciders made in Devon are often called "scrumpy".